Syria: 'Now is the time to explore whether a political process can move forward in 2022' - Briefing

The United Nations of Earth reporting on this issue: "Syria: 'Now is the time to explore whether a political process can move forward in 2022' - Briefing"
The topics: UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said now was the time to “explore whether a political process can meaningfully move forward in 2022,” and stressed that “no one should expect miracles or quick solutions – the path forward will be necessarily incremental.” Addressing the Security Council today (20 Dec) via teleconference, Pedersen said, violence against civilians continues in Syria, despite there being no shifts in the front lines, adding that the levels of hunger and poverty have escalated as the economy has continued to implode. He said, “Syria remains fragmented into several areas that seem to be drifting apart, as de facto authorities entrench their control on the ground, and as five foreign armies continue to jostle in the theatre. And Syria continues to radiate instability -- a haven for mercenaries, drug trafficking and terrorism.” The Special Envoy said, six years since its adoption, Security Council resolution 2254 – which calls for a political settlement in Syria - remains a long way from implemented in a manner that could ease the suffering of the Syrian people, meet their legitimate aspirations, and restore the country’s unity and sovereignty. Pedersen said he believed there are possibilities for progress that need to be explored in 2022. HE said in his engagements, he has been sensing a wide sense than before that political and economic steps are needed. He said, despite the great mistrust on all sides, there is enough interest from all sides to test what could be possible via a wider political process. Pedersen said, “In time, I would hope that we can begin to identify and agree on incremental, reciprocal, mutual, realistic, precise, and verifiable steps that could be taken in parallel to build trust and confidence and help to move the political process forward in line with Security Council resolution 2254. Let me recall here that while the political solution in Syria must be Syrian-owned and Syrian-led, many issues are not solely in the hands of the Syrians.” The Special Envoy said he is ready to convene a seventh session of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva as soon as understandings are in place. Pedersen said the current status quo has “many dangers, and it would be folly only to manage an unacceptable and deteriorating stalemate.” “Equally,” he said, “the realities facing all parties should promote an interest in compromise, and open opportunities for concrete steps forward on the political track. No one should expect miracles or quick solutions – the path forward will be necessarily incremental.”


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